Old Larper thoughts yet again.

As a long time LARPer, and veteran of several games, of different styles, I can certainly see the point that the original author is making.  It is often hard and daunting for a new player to a game, especially a new LARPer in general to become involved.  I do not feel in Knight Realms' case that any mechanics need be changed, as we do fall under the 'Give everybody superpowers' category, if I were to attempt to classify it.

It does not take too long in most cases, with some fairly solid RP to be able to open a Higher List, and start raking in these 'super powers', either.  However, that being said, many low level characters, and players of said characters start their KR careers sitting and scratching their heads as to what to do next.

My personal strategy has always been, "Don't know what to do next?  Talk to someone!"  Perhaps I'm a special case.  Perhaps I have some OOG super power that I do not know about, but my character was nothing but a 4 body commoner, who couldn't hold a weapon, and barely read a book, but within my first twelve hours, my character had several friends, even more people 'keeping an eye on him', and some even that would watch his back.  

He also was immediately involved in mods that, as a Commoner who couldn't touch a weapon, cast a spell, or do anything but stare wild-eyed at the things going on around him, he probably shouldn't have been around, however, it was very much within the character's motivation and will to be there.  All of this done, with a voice that people to this day, strain themselves to hear.

Yes, I admit that I came to KR knowing a few people.  However, that said, all of those things I accomplished in twelve hours, I did so while purposefully NOT roleplaying with any of those people.  I don't consider any of this to be a 'superhuman' trait of mine.  I simply played my character, and let his own reactions dictate how, and who he talked to.

All of that out of the way, the question one probably should come away with from the article that Jeff posted is, "What can be done to get new players involved more?"  I'm of the personal opinion that KR already has all of the tools available right now. If anything, there perhaps could be brought to light some of the opportunities, in a more accessable place.  New Player Training could also include some time spent on giving some commonly known facts about the prominant organizations in town, such as the Mages' Guild, the Valosian Church and possibly even the Town Guard.  All are well known organizations that rarely turn away the request for a little assistance, and all would generally be starting points for new characters to 'get their foot in the door'.

However, I do acknowledge that I'm strange.

I think that one very important thing that veteran players with high level characters need to do is keep careful track of their stats. One trend that I have long noticed at KR is that when a character reaches about 15th level, he or she magically becomes anywhere from 15th - 35th level, depending on how excited the player is in a given moment, how awesome he or she thinks his or her fighting skills are, or how long it's been since the last time he or she marked off stuff that has been used.

Therein lies the biggest part of the power distortion at KR. Sam can tell you, if you search the database you will find precious few 30+ level characters that are currently active at the game. And yet is sure seems like there's an army of them some events. It's players who reach the point where they have just enough points and skills to lose track of them and not enough diligence in keeping a record and referring to it that are a big part of the problem.

So please, everyone, mark your cards early and often and keep it fair for everyone.